A Deo et Rege

Now that we are fully into Advent, at least enough for that fact to have finally sunk in, I want to note a few of my thoughts. First, we as a society have a hard time with "waiting" and hoping. Delayed gratification is not really an American trait. But, lest I seem snobbish, it’s not really a personal trait either. Yet, for me, I’ll admit, waiting is hardly a problem this Advent. The problem this year, for me, is that I don’t really have time for waiting or anticipating or hoping. It’s hard to fail at something if you don’t even try it.  Advent is not being lost in a storm of "Christmas" gratification, but rather is clouded by a whirlwind of indifference. I know I need to do better. Yet, I feel I’m not alone in my "confession."

The Western world is not oriented towards the religious holiday of Christmas and especially not the season of Advent. The Church tells us to wait and hope when we seem to have the least time to do just that. It’s hard to wait and hope when you’re buying presents, putting up decorations, preparing for family dinners, and on top of all that working and doing the other activities you do during ordinary time. People just have to work all day, go to the gyms, go shopping, take the kids to all the activities they absolutely have to go to, and take ourselves to different kinds of activities, but all that we absolutely have to go to. Even parties around Christmas seem to become a chore and a burden. We’ve become terrible at fasting and terrible at feasting. It’s probably because we hardly do the former and the latter has lost any sense of uniqueness.

In the midst of it all, I know I really should do better. The Church tells me as much, and, after all, Advent and Christmas were around a long time before post-modern America. I always have great hopes for times like Advent and Lent, but, in my sinfulness, they seem to slip away without all of the joy and meaning I had originally desired. It’s mostly because I lose sight of what the seasons are truly about and become overwhelmed by stresses of the world. And yet, in the midst of our busy world this December, I hear, over and over in my mind, "Come, Lord Jesus." I just hope we’re not too busy to notice him when he does.

Blessed Advent!

Photo from Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation Carey, Ohio. Photo by Jonathan Bennett.